A bearingless hub assembly comprising a rim hollowed to receive a tube magnet, and magnets embedded around the circumference of the rim on both ends. The rim is capped by front and rear rim plates configured to hold the embedded magnets in place and fitted to receive respective circular magnets. similar magnets in corresponding front or rear drive plate maintain space (i.e., levitation) vis-à-vis the front and rear rim caps by repelling each other, thus allowing the rim (and, as applied, a mechanically-attached tire assembly) to move freely with no friction. The front and rear drive plate carry forward and reverse electromagnetic actuators as well as forward and reverse levitation control units, power generators and speed sensors. These components mount 360 degrees around the circumference of the drive plates while the embedded magnets of the rim spin through when in motion.
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12. A method of making a bearingless hub assembly, the method comprising:
mechanically mounting a front rim cap and a rear rim cap to respective ends of a rim, to define a rim assembly;
positioning a spindle for axial stacking;
mechanically mounting a component mounting plate axially about the spindle;
mechanically mounting a spindle assembly axially about the spindle;
mechanically mounting a rear drive plate axially about the spindle;
magnetically mounting the rim assembly axially about the spindle using a first repel force and a second repel force; and
magnetically mounting the front drive plate axially about the spindle using the first repel force and a third repel force;
wherein a respective substantially similar pole of a sleeve magnet of the spindle assembly and a tube magnet of the rim create the first repel force;
wherein a respective substantially similar pole of rear rim cap ring magnets of the rim and rear drive plate magnets of the rear drive plate create the second repel force; and
wherein a respective substantially similar pole of front rim cap ring magnets of the rim and front drive plate magnets of the front drive plate create the third repel force.
1. A magnetic bearing apparatus comprising:
a rim comprising:
a tube magnet,
a cylindrical body characterized by an outer end and an inner end,
a rim center hole axially centered through the cylindrical body and configured to fittedly receive the tube magnet,
a plurality of embedded magnets,
a plurality of magnet slots disposed about the outer end and the inner end of the cylindrical body at a magnet slot depth and configured to fittedly receive a respective one of the plurality of embedded magnets,
a front rim cap comprising:
a front rim cap center hole axially centered through the front rim cap,
a front rim cap ring magnet, and
a front rim cap annular groove axially centered about the front rim cap center hole and configured to fittedly receive the front rim cap ring magnet;
a rear rim cap comprising:
a rear rim cap center hole axially centered through the rear rim cap,
at least one rear rim cap loop magnet, and
at least one rear rim cap annular groove axially centered about the rear rim cap center hole configured to fittedly receive a respective one of the at least one rear rim cap loop magnet;
a front drive plate comprising:
a first front drive center hole axially centered in the front drive plate,
a second front drive center hole axially centered in the front drive plate and opposite the first front drive center hole,
a front drive plate ring magnet, and
a front drive annular groove axially centered about the first front drive center hole and configured to fittedly receive the front drive plate ring magnet;
a rear drive plate comprising:
a rear drive center hole axially centered through the rear drive plate,
at least one rear drive plate loop magnet, and
at least one rear drive annular groove axially centered about the rear drive center hole and configured to fittedly receive a respective one of the at least one rear drive plate loop magnet; and
a spindle assembly comprising:
a threaded insert characterized by
a fastening portion comprising an externally-threaded cylinder having first and second ends,
a shank portion comprising a first substantially-smooth cylinder of greater diameter than the externally-threaded cylinder and coupled to the first end of the fastening portion, and
an enlarged head portion comprising a cylindrical cap of greater diameter than the first substantially-smooth cylinder, and coupled to the shank portion opposite the fastening portion,
a washer having a central washer bore of greater diameter than the fastening portion of the threaded insert,
a center nut having an internally-threaded nut bore configured to receive the fastening portion of the threaded insert from the second end of the externally-threaded cylinder, and
a sleeve magnet having an internally-threaded sleeve bore configured to receive the fastening portion of the threaded insert from the second end of the externally-threaded cylinder;
wherein the front rim cap is fixedly mounted to the outer end of the cylindrical body of the rim and configured to secure, in relation to the rim, an outer subset of the plurality of embedded magnets disposed about the outer end of the cylindrical body;
wherein the rear rim cap is fixedly mounted to the inner end of the cylindrical body of the rim and configured to secure, in relation to the rim, an inner subset of the plurality of embedded magnets disposed about the inner end of the cylindrical body;
wherein the spindle assembly is positioned to extend, starting from the second end of the fastening portion of the threaded insert, through the rear drive center hole of the rear drive plate, the rear rim cap center hole of the rear rim cap, the rim center hole of the rim, the front rim cap center hole of the front rim cap, and the first and second front drive center holes of the front drive plate, in turn, such that
a respective first substantially similar polarity of the tube magnet and the sleeve magnet create a first repel force that operates to freely mount the rim center hole of the rim proximate to the threaded insert of the spindle assembly at a first levitation spacing of the first repel force,
a respective second substantially similar polarity of the front rim cap ring magnet and the front drive plate ring magnet create a second repel force that operates to freely mount the front rim cap proximate to the front drive plate at a second levitation spacing of the second repel force, and
a respective third substantially similar polarity of the at least one rear rim cap ring magnet and the at least one rear drive plate ring magnet create a third repel force that operates to freely mount the rear rim cap proximate to the rear drive plate at a third levitation spacing of the third repel force.
20. A method of operating a bearingless hub assembly comprising:
a rim comprising:
a tube magnet,
a cylindrical body characterized by an outer end and an inner end,
a rim center hole axially centered through the cylindrical body and configured to fittedly receive the tube magnet,
a plurality of embedded magnets,
a plurality of magnet slots disposed about the outer end and the inner end of the cylindrical body at a magnet slot depth and configured to fittedly receive a respective one of the plurality of embedded magnets,
a front rim cap comprising:
a front rim cap center hole axially centered through the front rim cap,
a front rim cap ring magnet, and
a front rim cap annular groove axially centered about the front rim cap center hole and configured to fittedly receive the front rim cap ring magnet;
a rear rim cap comprising:
a rear rim cap center hole axially centered through the rear rim cap,
at least one rear rim cap loop magnet, and
at least one rear rim cap annular groove axially centered about the rear rim cap center hole configured to fittedly receive a respective one of the at least one rear rim cap loop magnet;
a front drive plate comprising:
a first front drive center hole axially centered in the front drive plate,
a second front drive center hole axially centered in the front drive plate and opposite the first front drive center hole,
a front drive plate ring magnet, and
a front drive annular groove axially centered about the first front drive center hole and configured to fittedly receive the front drive plate ring magnet;
a rear drive plate comprising:
a rear drive center hole axially centered through the rear drive plate,
at least one rear drive plate loop magnet, and
at least one rear drive annular groove axially centered about the rear drive center hole and configured to fittedly receive a respective one of the at least one rear drive plate loop magnet; and
a spindle assembly comprising:
a threaded insert characterized by
a fastening portion comprising an externally-threaded cylinder having first and second ends,
a shank portion comprising a first substantially-smooth cylinder of greater diameter than the externally-threaded cylinder and coupled to the first end of the fastening portion, and
an enlarged head portion comprising a cylindrical cap of greater diameter than the first substantially-smooth cylinder, and coupled to the shank portion opposite the fastening portion,
a washer having a central washer bore of greater diameter than the fastening portion of the threaded insert,
a center nut having an internally-threaded nut bore configured to receive the fastening portion of the threaded insert from the second end of the externally-threaded cylinder, and
a sleeve magnet having an internally-threaded sleeve bore configured to receive the fastening portion of the threaded insert from the second end of the externally-threaded cylinder;
wherein the front rim cap is fixedly mounted to the outer end of the cylindrical body of the rim and configured to secure, in relation to the rim, an outer subset of the plurality of embedded magnets disposed about the outer end of the cylindrical body;
wherein the rear rim cap is fixedly mounted to the inner end of the cylindrical body of the rim and configured to secure, in relation to the rim, an inner subset of the plurality of embedded magnets disposed about the inner end of the cylindrical body;
wherein the spindle assembly is positioned to extend, starting from the second end of the fastening portion of the threaded insert, through the rear drive center hole of the rear drive plate, the rear rim cap center hole of the rear rim cap, the rim center hole of the rim, the front rim cap center hole of the front rim cap, and the first and second front drive center holes of the front drive plate, in turn, such that
a respective first substantially similar polarity of the tube magnet and the sleeve magnet create a first repel force that operates to freely mount the rim center hole of the rim proximate to the threaded insert of the spindle assembly at a first levitation spacing of the first repel force,
a respective second substantially similar polarity of the front rim cap ring magnet and the front drive plate ring magnet create a second repel force that operates to freely mount the front rim cap proximate to the front drive plate at a second levitation spacing of the second repel force, and
a respective third substantially similar polarity of the at least one rear rim cap ring magnet and the at least one rear drive plate ring magnet create a third repel force that operates to freely mount the rear rim cap proximate to the rear drive plate at a third levitation spacing of the third repel force;
the method comprising:
mechanically mounting to at least one of the front drive plate and the rear drive plate an electromagnetic actuator;
positioning the electromagnetic actuator at one of the outer end and the inner end of the rim, defined as a powered end, and proximate a circumference of the powered end of the rim; and
creating, using an electromagnetic field of the electromagnetic actuator and a respective polarity of a subset of the plurality of embedded magnets at the powered end, a rotational force that operates to freely spin the rim about an axis of the rim in a spin direction defined by the electromagnetic field.
2. The magnetic bearing apparatus according to
a front body portion including the outer end and a front connection surface opposite the outer end, and
a rear body portion including the inner end and a rear connection surface opposite the inner end;
wherein the rim further comprises at least one fastener configured to flush-mount the front connection surface of the front body portion to the rear connection surface of the rear body portion.
3. The magnetic bearing apparatus according to
4. The magnetic bearing apparatus according to
5. The magnetic bearing apparatus according to
an outer annular body extension projecting radially outward from the cylindrical body and positioned at a first axial distance from the outer end greater than the magnet slot depth, and
an inner annular body extension projecting radially outward from the cylindrical body and positioned at a second axial distance from the inner end greater than the magnet slot depth;
wherein the outer annular body extension and the inner annular body extension, and an exposed curved surface of the cylindrical body therebetween, define a tire mount region.
6. The magnetic bearing apparatus according to
7. The magnetic bearing apparatus according to
8. The magnetic bearing apparatus according to
a mounting plate cylindrical base; and
a spindle seat counterbore axially centered in the mounting plate cylindrical base and configured to receive the enlarged head portion of the spindle assembly.
9. The magnetic bearing apparatus according to
the cylindrical cap of the enlarged head portion of the spindle assembly further comprises at least one cylinder notch; and
the component mounting plate further comprises at least one cylinder bolt each configured to fittedly engage a respective one of the at least one cylinder notch of the enlarged head portion of the spindle assembly.
10. The magnetic bearing assembly according to
a secondary electronic brake system,
at least one electronic steering piston, and
an upper control arm and a lower control arm, wherein the upper and lower control arms are configured to mechanically connect the magnetic bearing assembly to a vehicle chassis.
11. The magnetic bearing assembly according to
13. The method according to
14. The method according to
15. The method according to
16. The method according to
17. The method according to
positioning the electromagnetic actuator at one of the outer end and the inner end of the rim, defined as a powered end, and proximate a circumference of the powered end of the rim; and
creating, using an electromagnetic field of the electromagnetic actuator and a respective polarity of a subset of the plurality of embedded magnets at the powered end, a rotational force that operates to freely spin the rim about an axis of the rim in a spin direction defined by the electromagnetic field.
18. The method according to
19. The method according to
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The present invention relates to magnetic bearing technology and, more specifically, to an electromagnetic hub assembly configured to support a load using magnetic levitation, and associated methods of operation and manufacture.
A magnetic bearing is a type of bearing that supports a load using magnetic levitation. Magnetic bearings support moving parts without physical contact. For instance, magnetic bearings are able to levitate a rotating shaft and permit relative motion with very low friction and no mechanical wear. Magnetic bearings support the highest speeds of all kinds of bearing and have no maximum relative speed.
Active bearings have several advantages. For example, such bearings do not suffer from wear, have low friction, and can often accommodate irregularities in the mass distribution automatically, allowing rotors to spin around their center of mass with very low vibration.
Passive magnetic bearings use permanent magnets and, therefore, do not require any input power. However, passive magnetic bearings are difficult to design due to the limitations described by Earnshaw's theorem. Techniques using diamagnetic materials are relatively undeveloped and strongly depend on material characteristics. As a result, most magnetic bearings known in the art are active magnetic bearings that use electromagnets which require continuous power input and an active control system to keep the load stable. In a combined design, permanent magnets are often used to carry the static load and the active magnetic bearing is used when the levitated object deviates from its optimum position. Magnetic bearings typically require a back-up bearing in the case of power or control system failure.
Magnetic bearings are used in several industrial applications such as electrical power generation, petroleum refinement, machine tool operation and natural gas handling. They are also used in Zippe-type centrifuges for uranium enrichment and in turbomolecular pumps, where oil-lubricated bearings would be a source of contamination.
Therefore, there is a need for improvements in the design of magnetic bearings to achieve the advantages of such designs while reducing the complexity (and, therefore, the cost) of manufacturing such devices.
This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding description constitutes prior art against the present invention.
With the above in mind, embodiments of the present invention are related to a bearingless hub assembly that virtually eliminates friction from applications involving a powered wheel. The present design may advantageously replace an internal-combustion engine, thereby dramatically reducing emissions by eliminating the use of fossil fuels, while still producing 100% of the host vehicle's power. The present design may also eliminate the chemicals and reduce the maintenance requirements of traditional engines, and at the same time may allow vehicle designers to reconfigure vehicle interiors for a more versatile body structure to accommodate more passengers, equipment and/or cargo.
In one embodiment, the present invention may comprise the following components: a rim including embedded magnets and a tube magnet inserted through an axial core; front and rear rim caps with embedded magnets; a front-drive plate with embedded magnets, forward and reverse electromagnetic actuators, forward and reverse levitation control units, power generators, and a hubcap; a component mounting plate with upper and lower control arms, the secondary electronic brake system, and the electronic steering pistons; and a spindle assembly with a sleeve magnet, threaded insert, washer, and nut.
More specifically, the axial rim core may be hollowed to receive a tube magnet. The series of magnets embedded around a circumference of both ends of the rim may be capped by front and rear plates configured to hold the inserted magnets in place (e.g., using a series of fasteners through the outward faces of the plates). The front rim cap and rear rim cap may also be fitted to receive annular magnets configured to maintain the space between them and the corresponding front or rear drive plates. The front and rear drive plates may carry forward and reverse electromagnetic actuators as well as forward and reverse levitation control units, power generators and speed sensors. These components may mount 360 degrees around the circumference of the drive plates while the embedded magnets of the rim spin through when in motion. The front and rear drive plates may be fitted to receive the same style magnets as the corresponding front or rear rim cap, causing the respective magnets to repel each other and allowing the rim and tire assembly to move freely with no friction.
Mounted to the outward side of the front drive plate may be a hubcap serving as a dust cover and protection for electronics underneath. Mounted to the rear drive plate may be a component mounting plate, which may include mounting points for upper and lower control arms, a secondary electronic brake system, and electronic steering pistons. The component mounting plate may serve to connect the assembly to a vehicle chassis by way of the upper and lower control arms. This component mounting plate also may carry the spindle assembly, which may project through the center of the rim and the other components in the assembly, holding them together with the center nut, washer, and spindle insert. The sleeve magnet of the spindle assembly may be positioned around the threaded insert and held in place. When inserted into the hollowed core of the rim, the sleeve magnet may repel the tube magnet of the rim, thus keeping space between the two components and allowing the wheel to spin freely.
The system may be powered in forward and reverse by electromagnets within the forward and reverse electromagnetic actuators. Using a series of off/on pulses to push the embedded magnets of the rim, these electromagnets may be operated by electromagnetic controllers and the vehicle's computer system, using the speed sensors and a driver's physical responses to control the acceleration and braking of the vehicle. The computer for such operation may be housed within the frame of the vehicle chassis along with the vehicle's rechargeable battery source. The chassis of the vehicle may be connected to the lower control arm and the body may be connected to the upper control arm while the chassis and the body may be held separate by a magnetic plate serving as magnetic suspension for the vehicle.
The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Those of ordinary skill in the art realize that the following descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention are illustrative and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Other embodiments of the present invention will readily suggest themselves to such skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Although the following detailed description contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention.
In this detailed description of the present invention, a person skilled in the art should note that directional terms, such as “above,” “below,” “upper,” “lower,” and other like terms are used for the convenience of the reader in reference to the drawings. Also, a person skilled in the art should notice this description may contain other terminology to convey position, orientation, and direction without departing from the principles of the present invention.
Furthermore, in this detailed description, a person skilled in the art should note that quantitative qualifying terms such as “generally,” “substantially,” “mostly,” and other terms are used, in general, to mean that the referred to object, characteristic, or quality constitutes a majority of the subject of the reference. The meaning of any of these terms is dependent upon the context within which it is used, and the meaning may be expressly modified.
Embodiments of the present invention may be designed to replace the wheel bearing and drive system in vehicles which may advantageously eliminate use of fossil fuels while creating dramatically-increased mileage and largely eliminating speed barriers, as well as creating a replacement for certain characteristics of modern vehicles, including the complete drivetrain, exhaust system, mechanical steering hydraulic brakes, cooling system, and modern suspension.
Referring to
More specifically,
Referring now to
The rim 110 may further comprise annular body extensions 506, 507 projecting radially outward from the cylindrical body 500 and positioned at axial distances from the ends of the cylindrical body 500 designed not to obstruct the magnet slots 502. The outer annular body extension 506 and the inner annular body extension 507, and an exposed curved surface of the cylindrical body 500 therebetween, may define a tire mount region 508 configured to advantageously receive a tire.
Also for example, and without limitation, the rim 110 may further comprise rim outer bolt holes 510 extending into the cylindrical body 500 from the outer end and disposed substantially equally about a circumference of the outer end. The rim 110 may further comprise rim inner bolt holes 512 extending into the cylindrical body 500 from the inner end and disposed substantially equally about a circumference of the rim center hole 504.
In certain embodiments, for example, and without limitation, component specifications of the rim 110 may include the following (measurement units in centimeters):
Bolt hole 510, 512 diameters: 8
Bolt hole 510, 512 threads: 8×1.25
Bolt hole 510, 512 depth: 12
Center hole 504 depth: 82
Cylindrical body 500 diameter: 134
Annular body extensions 506, 507 diameter: 158
Extensions 506, 507 from circumference of body 500: 24
Cylindrical body 500 length: 82
Extensions 506, 507 length: 50
Extensions 506, 507 internal groove: 12
Extensions 506, 507 internal lip thickness: 12
Extensions 506, 507 width: 8
Extensions 506, 507 from ends of body 500: 12
Magnet slot depth: 6
Tolerance: +0; −0.02
In yet another embodiment, the cylindrical body 500 of the rim 110 may be assembled rather than monolithically composed. For example, and without limitation, a split configuration of the cylindrical body 500 may comprise a front body portion that presents an outer end into which a first subset of the magnet slots 502 are routed, and also rear body portion that presents an inner end into which a second subset of the magnet slots 502 are routed. A front connection surface positioned opposite the outer end of the front body portion of the split cylindrical body 500 may be configured to flush mount, using some number of fasteners, to a rear connection surface positioned opposite the inner end of the rear body portion of the split cylindrical body 500. For example, and without limitation, the fasteners of the rim 100 may comprise a dowl pin protruding from the front connection surface of the front body portion of the split cylindrical body 500 and a dowl hole, configured to fittedly receive the dowl pin, extending into the rear connection surface of the rear body portion of the split cylindrical body 500. Such a split rim design may advantageously allow for a manufacturer to mill a lip which holds a tire in place from a straight on position versus a 90 degree angle. This design may also advantageously allow a tire to be mounted to the rim 110 without machinery or a great amount of effort.
Referring now to
Also for example, and without limitation, the front rim cap 120 may further comprise front rim bolt counterbores 612 extending from the first front rim cap cylindrical base 606 through the second front rim cap cylindrical base 607. The counterbores 612 may be disposed substantially equally about a circumference of the second front rim cap cylindrical base 607.
In certain embodiments, for example, and without limitation, component specifications of the front rim cap 120 may include the following (measurement units in centimeters):
Counterbores 612 diameters: 10
Counterbores 612 depth: 4
Bolt holes 601 diameter: 8
Bolt holes 601 depth: 10
Bolt holes 601 center to center: 104
Center hole 604 depth: 14
Annular magnet groove 602 depth: 6
Tolerance: +0, −0.02
Referring now to
Also for example, and without limitation, the rear rim cap 130 may further comprise rear rim bolt counterbores 712 extending from the first rear rim cap cylindrical base 706 through the second rear rim cap cylindrical base 707. The counterbores 712 may be disposed substantially equally about a circumference of the second rear rim cap cylindrical base 707.
In certain embodiments, for example, and without limitation, component specifications of the rear rim cap 130 may include the following (measurement units in centimeters):
Counterbores 712 diameters: 10
Counterbores 712 depth: 4
Bolt holes 710 diameter: 8
Bolt holes 710 depth: 10
Bolt holes 710 center to center: 64
Center hole 704 depth: 14
Annular magnet grooves 720 depth: 6
Tolerance: +0, −0.02
Referring now to
Also for example, and without limitation, the front drive plate 140 may comprise front drive outer bolt holes 810 in the first front drive plate cylindrical base 806 disposed substantially equally about a circumference of the first front drive plate cylindrical base 806. The front drive plate 140 may further comprise front drive inner bolt holes 812 in the second front drive plate cylindrical base 807 disposed substantially equally about a circumference of the second front drive plate cylindrical base 807. Referring again to
In certain embodiments, for example, and without limitation, component specifications of the front drive plate 140 may include the following (measurement units in centimeters):
Outer bolt holes 810 diameter: 8
Outer bolt holes 810 depth: 12
Outer bolt hole 810 thread: 8×1.25
Outer bolt holes 810 center to center: 160, 148
Inner bolt holes 812 diameter: 16
Inner bolt holes 812 depth: 12
Inner bolt hole 812 thread: 16×2.0
Inner bolt holes 812 center to center: 104
Center hole 804 diameter: 34
Center hole 804 depth: 12
Annular magnet groove 820 depth: 6
Nut & washer seat depth: 12
Tolerance: +0, −0.02
Referring now to
Also for example, and without limitation, the rear drive plate 150 may comprise rear drive outer bolt holes 910 in the first rear drive plate cylindrical base 906 disposed substantially equally about a circumference of the first rear drive plate cylindrical base 906. The rear drive plate 150 may further comprise rear drive inner bolt holes 912 in the second rear drive plate cylindrical base 907 disposed substantially equally about a circumference of the second rear drive plate cylindrical base 907.
In certain embodiments, for example, and without limitation, component specifications of the rear drive plate 150 may include the following (measurement units in centimeters):
Outer bolt holes 910 diameter: 8
Outer bolt holes 910 depth: 12
Outer bolt hole 910 thread: 8×1.25
Outer bolt holes 910 center to center: 160, 148
Inner bolt holes 912 diameter: 8
Inner bolt holes 912 depth: 12
Inner bolt hole 912 thread: 8×1.25
Inner bolt holes 912 center to center: 64
Center hole 904 diameter: 34
Center hole 904 depth: 24
Annular magnet groove 920 depth: 6
Tolerance: +0, −0.02
Referring now to
The spindle assembly 160 may further comprise a washer 161 having a central washer bore of greater diameter than the fastening portion 162 of the threaded insert, and also a center nut 163 having an internally-threaded nut bore configured to receive the fastening portion 162 of the threaded insert. Referring more specifically to
Referring now to
Also for example, and without limitation, the component mounting plate 170 may further comprise mounting plate bolt counterbores 1110 extending through the mounting plate cylindrical base 1106. The counterbores 1110 may be disposed substantially equally about an exterior circumference of the spindle seat counterbore 1105. Referring again to
In certain embodiments, for example, and without limitation, component specifications of the component mounting plate 170 may include the following (measurement units in centimeters):
Counterbores 1110 diameters: 10
Counterbores 1110 depth: 4
Bolt holes 1110 diameter: 8
Bolt holes 1110 depth: 8
Bolt holes 1110 center to center: 64
Center hole 1104 depth: 6
Spindle seat 1105 depth: 6
Spindle seat notch 1107: 5×5
Tolerance: +0, −0.02
Assembled as described above, the present invention may advantageously replace a conventional motor with the described electromagnetic drive system as employed with the bearingless hub assembly 100. Incorporation of electronic steering and electronic braking systems may advantageously eliminate all mechanical linkage between the chassis and the wheel. Employment of the bearingless hub assembly 100 also may advantageously eliminate various systems of modern vehicle designs, including the complete drivetrain, exhaust system, mechanical steering, hydraulic brakes, cooling system and modern suspension. By replacing these systems, manufacturers may advantageously apply the bearingless hub assembly 100 to design more eco-friendly vehicles with more passenger space, cargo space and more space for equipment. This disclosed system 100 is also consumer-friendly, using fewer failure-prone parts and requiring minimal maintenance, thus advantageously making vehicle operation more cost-efficient.
In another embodiment, the same principle for propulsion described above may be employed except that, instead of the embedded magnets 530 of the rim 110 being read from the outer circumference of the rim 110, these magnets 530 may be embedded in the exact same spot and read from the outer circumference of the faces (e.g., ends) of the rim 110. The component mounting plate 170 may be adjusted to accommodate the forward and reverse electromagnetic actuators as well as forward and reverse levitation control units, power generators and speed sensors in such a manner that they read and operate the magnets 530 from a straight on position versus from a 90-degree position.
Any number of application-specific modifications to the rim may allow the present design 100 to be applied to a wide variety of vehicles, without venturing from the disclosure herein. Such applications may include, for example, and without limitation, helicopter and propeller aircraft modifications of the front and rear drive plates and component mounting plates; allowing this assembly 100 to be used for motorcycle wheels; and other modifications of the rim 110 and drive plates 140, 150 that may allow the system 100 to generate power through natural resources such as wind and water. In applications using natural resources, the electromagnetic aspect of the system 100 may be omitted, using instead natural resources to rotate the rim 110. Alternatively, the electromagnets may be replaced with power generators; such applications may be designed for creating energy.
Other alternative applications may advantageously employ the bearingless hub assembly 100, including: a) wheelchairs using magnetic suspension and capable of traveling off-road, b) terrain exploration vehicles operating in a space environment, and c) replacement/retrofit of any power generator or alternator, motor, or converter of fossil fuels to mechanical energy. The system 100 described herein may be employed to replace/retrofit any type of wheel operable to roll, spin, hinge, or turn on an axis (for example, and without limitation, a mechanical elbow).
Referring now to
At person of skill in the art will immediately recognize that assembly of the front and rear rim caps 120, 130 to the rim 110, to define a rim assembly, may occur in parallel (see Block 1202) with the aforementioned steps in the component stacking process 1200. At Block 1204, the front rim cap 120 may be mechanically affixed to the rim 110. Similarly, at Block 1206, the rear rim cap 130 may be mechanically affixed to the rim 110. These two method steps may be interchanged and still operate to produce the rim assembly.
Still referring to
A skilled artisan will note that one or more of the aspects of the present invention may be performed on a computing device. The skilled artisan will also note that a computing device may be understood to be any device having a processor, memory unit, input, and output. This may include, but is not intended to be limited to, cellular phones, smart phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, personal digital assistants, etc.
The computer 610 may also include a cryptographic unit 625. Briefly, the cryptographic unit 625 has a calculation function that may be used to verify digital signatures, calculate hashes, digitally sign hash values, and encrypt or decrypt data. The cryptographic unit 625 may also have a protected memory for storing keys and other secret data. In other embodiments, the functions of the cryptographic unit may be instantiated in software and run via the operating system.
A computer 610 typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a computer 610 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may include computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by a computer 610. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.
The system memory 630 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 631 and random access memory (RAM) 632. A basic input/output system 633 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 610, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 631. RAM 632 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 620. By way of example, and not limitation,
The computer 610 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,
The drives, and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in
The computer 610 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 680. The remote computer 680 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 610, although only a memory storage device 681 has been illustrated in
When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 610 is connected to the LAN 671 through a network interface or adapter 670. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 610 typically includes a modem 672 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 673, such as the Internet. The modem 672, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 621 via the user input interface 660, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 610, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation,
The communications connections 670 and 672 allow the device to communicate with other devices. The communications connections 670 and 672 are an example of communication media. The communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. A “modulated data signal” may be a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Computer readable media may include both storage media and communication media.
Some of the illustrative aspects of the present invention may be advantageous in solving the problems herein described and other problems not discussed which are discoverable by a skilled artisan. While the above description contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any embodiment, but as exemplifications of the presented embodiments thereof. Many other ramifications and variations are possible within the teachings of the various embodiments. While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best or only mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples given.
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